Clapboard-machine.



UNITED STAT S PAT NT OFFICE.

JAMES C. KILLAM, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF SAWING LUMBER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 723,469, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed November 9, 1901. Serial No. 81,692. (No mfidel-l To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES C. KILLAM, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementin Methods of Sawing Lumber, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a. specification, like numerals on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to a novel method of sawing a log into lumber, and it has particular reference to the sawing of what are known as rift-sawn clapboards, by which is meant clapboards which are sawed from the log by making a series of radial cuts extending lon-v gitudinally of the log, so that the width of.

the clapboard as it is taken fromthe log is radial of the log.

The common method now employed in sawing rift-sawn clapboards is to make a series of cuts longitudinally of the log, the said cuts being of a depth approximately equal to the width of the clapboard into which the log is to be sawed. The cuts thus made show parallel lines on the circumferential surface of the log, while at the end of the log they extend in radial directions, so that all ofthe clapboards into which the log is sawn have itheir thick edges at the circumference of the When a large log is being cut into clapboards according to the existing method, a series of cuts, such as described, are made completely around the exterior surface of the log, after which the log is removed from the sawmill and the clapboards thus cut are stripped from the core.

Usually clapboards are about six inches in width, and when a log of a diameter of, say,

thirty inches is being sawed into clapboards the first set of clapboards which are sawed from the exterior thereof would reduce the diameter of the log twice the width of the clap-.

is that commonly employed, all of the cuts are made on radial lines whether the log is of a large or of a small diameter, it will be seen that when a log of large diameter is being sawed the radial cuts are much more nearly parallel than they are when a log of comparatively small diameter is being sawed, for when a log of the minimum diameter is being thus sawed the angular distance between the various cuts must be sufiicient so that the space between the inner limit of each cut shall be as great as the thinnest edge of the finished clapboard is to be, while in a log of large di-.

ameter the distance between the cuts on the exterior of the log will be substantially equal to. the thickness of the clapboard at its thickest edge. In both of these extreme sizes of logs the resultant clapboard requires considerable trimming in order to bring it to the right taper,and this trimming occasions a consequent loss or waste of material.

It is the object of my invention to provide a novel method of sawing rit'tsawn clapboards, wherein a minimum amount of waste will be occasioned and whereby the clapboards as they come from the sawmill are of substantially the required taper, so that very little planing of the clapboard is required in the finishing thereof. In order to accomplish this, instead of making the cuts all radial, as

heretofore, so that. the thick edges of all the.

clapboards are at the exterior of the log and the thin edges thereof toward the center, I saw the logs in such a way' that a portion. of the clapboards in each row of clapboards will have their thick edges toward the center, the number of such clapboards depending upon the size of the log which is being sawed. By thus sawing the log so that certain of the clapboards have their thick edges toward the center and their thin edges on the periphery of the log all of the clapboards sawed from the exterior of any-sized log may be cut to approximately the required taper. In thus cutting logs according to my method the log or block of the required length is firsttrimmed up or turned around in a suitable lathe and is then placed in a suitable sawmill. Two cuts or kerfs are then made longitudinally of the log by any suitable sawing device, the said cuts being of a depth equal to the width of the clapboard and diverging toward the PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

J. .0. KILLAM-,, OLAPBOARD MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. g, 1902.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

10 MODEL.

PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

J. 0. KILLAM. OLAPBOARD-MAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1 902.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

K0 MODEL.

m: pon zls Pc'rcns 00.. wo'ro-u ua, WASHINGTON a c PATBNTED MAR. 24, 1903.

I. -G. KILLAM.

ULAPBOARD MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED nus. 6, 19oz.-

14 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N0 MODEL.

3 W141 Y r I 'I i No. 723,470. PATENTBD MAR. 24, 1903. J. o; KILLAM'. GLAPBOARD MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6. 1902.

I0 MODEL. 14 SHEETS-SHEET &

-0 V x unnmulm THE NORRIS Fmns co. motoumo. WASHINGTON. 0. c4

No. 723,470. I PATENTED MAR.24-,1903.-

' J. c. KILLAM.

GLAPBOARD. MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. e, 1902.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

N0 MODEL.

N0. 223,470. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903. J. G. KILLAM. OLAPBOARD MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mm. a, 1902. no MODEL. 14 sums-sum 1o.

ams psrsns 00 PHOYO-LITHD. WASHINGTON, A:v c.

ixwfof No. 723,470. P'ATENTE'D MAR. 24, 1903.?-

. J. 0. KILLAM.

GLAPBOARD MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 14 SHEETSBHEET 1L gm llmllilmi TH: wcmus Farris co.. wofou'ruu, wasumswu. a. c.

No. 723,470 l PATENTED'MAR. '24, 1903.

' J. G. KILLAM.

GLAPBOARD MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1902.

no MODEL. 14 sums-sum 12.

No. 723,470. PATENTED MAR. 24,1903.

J. 0. KILLAM. GLAPBOARD MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1902.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 14.

F0 MODEL.

THE Npnms PETERS 00.. FHOTOJJTHQ. wAsumamm u, c

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

JAMES C. KILLAM, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLAPBOARD-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 723,470, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed February 6l 1902. Serial No. 92,823. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, JAMES C. KILLAM, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Clapboard-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

In my copending application, Serial No. 81,692, filed November 9, 1901, I have described a novel method of sawing logs into clapboards, and in this invention I have illustrated and described'a novel sawmill which is adapted to saw logs in the manner illustrated in said copending application.

According to the method disclosed in the above-mentioned application the log to be sawed is supported in such relation to the saw that the saw makes a plurality of series of cuts or kerfs longitudinally of the log, said cuts each having a more or less radial direction. The cuts or kerfs of each series comprise a plurality of cuts, two of which diverge from the circumference of the log toward the center thereof, while the remainder of the cuts of each series converge toward the center, the result of this system of cuts being that in making one round of cuts aplurality of series of rift-sawn clapboards are cut from the log and one clapboard of each series is cut with its thick edge toward the center of the log and its thin edge toward the circumference of the log, the remaining clapboards of the series being cut with their thin edges toward the center of the log.

In cutting a log as above described I preferably employ a band-saw and support the log while being cut in such relation to the saw that its length is parallel to the saw.

The machine which I have herein illustrated is entirely automatic in its action, so that after a log has been properly carriaged and the machine is set in operation the series of cuts or kerfs above described will be made in the log without the necessity of any hand manipulation, and when one round of cuts ment of my invention comprises; as stated, a

suitable band-saw and a log-carriage having.

means to support a log with its length parallel to the saw and carriage-reciprocating mechanism adapted to move the log bodily toward and from the band-saw, the saw during the movement of the log toward the same operating to make a kerf in the log longitudinally thereof and in a substantially radial direction. As the carriage is withdrawn from the saw, mechanism is thrown into operation for automatically turning the log slightly upon its axis, and at the same time the log is automatically shifted transversely to its line of movement toward and from the saw. The

carriage is then moved toward the saw to make another keriior cut, the two kerfs made converging toward the center of the log. As the carriage is again withdrawn from the saw the previouslynamed steps are repeated, when another kerf is made. After a certain predetermined'number of such kerfs, which converge toward the center of the log, are made and the carriage has been withdrawn from the saw the log is again turned about its axis, but in an opposite direction, and is given a transverse movement in the opposite direction to that previously given to restore the log to its initial position. As the carriage is now moved toward the saw a kerf is made longitudinally of the log, as before, but in a radial direction, which diverges from that of the last-made kerf as the kerf approaches the center of the log, this kerf being that which cuts the clapboard having its thick edge to ward the center of the log.

The operations thus far described cnt one series of clapboards from the log, and thereafter these operations are repeated until one round of cuts or kerfs has been made. The logis then removed from the carriage and the cut clapboards are stripped therefrom by suitable mechanism,while a new logmay be placed upon the carriage and treated as above described.

In the preferred embodiment of my in vention I will construct my machine with a suitable supporting-frame having a log-carriage at each end thereof, and means will be provided to move the frame to bring either logcarriage into its operative position with relation to the saw. With this construction while a'log supported on one carriage is being sawed the other carriage is free to have a second log carriaged thereon, this operation taking place during the time that the first log is being sawed. When the first log has been sawed, the supporting-frame may be moved to bring the second log into position to be sawed, and while this second log is being sawed the first g may be removed from the carriage and a fresh log placed thereon.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows my invention, with the exception of the saw, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail hereinafter referred to. Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line as, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows one end of my device and illustrates the relative position between the saw and the carriage. Fig. 6 is a section on the line y, Fig. 1. Fig. 6* is a detail of a part of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a detail hereinafter referred to. Fig. 7 is a detail of the reversing-pawl. Fig. Sis a section substantially on the line .2, Fig. 1. Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, show the development of the cams employed for giving to the logits transverse movcment. Fig. 13 is a detail of the crauk'mechanisni employed to reciprocate the carriage. Figs. 14 and 15 are details of the set bumpers used in turning the log aboutits axis. Fig. 16 is adetail of the mechanism cooperating with the set bumpers. Fig. 17 shows the various driving connections for performing the operations above described. Fig. 18 illustrates the stop mechanism employed to stop the operation of the device when one round of cuts has been made. Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the stop mechanism. Fig. 20 is asection on the line a a, Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a detail of the devices for giving the logits transverse movement. Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 25 are details of the clutch mechanism for connecting the operating devices to the driving-shaft. Fig. 26 is a detail of the lock for holding the supporting-frame in its operative position. Fig. 27 is a detail of the reversiug-pawls forgiving to the log its turning movement. Fig. 28 is a plan view of a part of Fig. 27. Figs. 29 and 30 are further details of the reversing-pawls. Fig. 31 illustrates diagrammatically the manner in which different-sized logs are cut by the mechanism herein illustrated, and Figs. 32 to 35 are diagrammatic views illustrating the various steps in the forming of the cuts shown in Fig. 31.

The object in cutting a portion of the clapboards in each round of clapboards with their thick edges toward the center is to re duce toa minimum the waste which has heretofore been a necessary incident in the sawof which is that in a log of large diameter the cuts will be more nearly parallel than in a log of small diameter. Consequently while in making the first round of cuts in a large log the clapboards made according to the old method will not have enough taper, yet in sawing clapboards from a com parativelysmall log the clapboards will have too much taper. In either case to finish the clapboards to the right taper requires the removing of considerable material by planing or a similar process which entails considerable waste. By my method-i. e., by sawing certain of the clapboards with their thick edgestoward the center of the log-each clapboard may be cut to almost precisely the required taper, thus reducing to the minimum the amount removed in the final smoothing-up'process. The number of clapboards in each round of clapboards which are thus cut with their thick edges toward the center of the log depends upon the size of the log, a greater number being thus cut on the larger logs, while a smaller numher is cut on the smaller logs.

Referring to Fig.31,it will be seen that I have illustrated diagrammatically the manner of cutting different-sized logs, and at the upper portion of said figure is illustrated the way in which my machine operatesto cut logs of from thirty-six inches in diameter upward. From this it willbe seen that a series of kerfs b, c, and d are made, which kerfs converge toward each other as they approach the center of the log. It will be understood, of course, that these cuts will be made of a depth equal to the width of the clapboard, which is usually about six inches. In logs of a size greater than thirty-six inches in diameter I will preferably make three such converging cuts to thereby out two clapboards c andffrom the log, these clapboards having their thin edges toward the center of the log. The next succeeding cut 9 will be diverging from the cut d to cut a clapboard 72. having its thick edge toward the center of the log. These cuts form one series of cuts and cut from the log one series of clapboards. The cut 9 corresponds to the cut I), and the next succeeding cuts after g correspond, respectively, to the cuts 0, d, and g, this second series of cuts cutting from the log a second series of clapboards, one of which-has a thick edge toward the center.

At the left of Fig. 31 isshown the manner in which logs varying in size from thirty to thirty-six inches in diameter will preferably be cut, and in this case it will be observed that each series of clapboards comprises three clapboards 7a with their thin edge to the center and one clapboard Z with the thick edge to the center. In sawing logs ranging in diameter from twenty-four to thirty inches I will preferably make the cuts substantially as shown at the right in Fig. 31, the cuts being so made that each series of clapboards will have five clapboards m with the thin edge to the center and one clapboard n with the thick edge to the center. In cutting logs of a less diameter than twenty-four inches the cuts will-be so made that each series of clapboards will have eight clapboards 0 with the thin edge to the center and one clapboard p with its thick edge to the center.

In Figs. 32 to 35 I have illustrated diagrammatically the Various movements which are given to a log in order to make the cuts in the manner described above, these views representing the various steps in making the cuts at the top of Fig. 31- In this embodiment of my invention I have illustrated a band-saw and a suitable carriage constructed to support a log with its length'parallel to the cutting edge of the saw, and suitable mechanism is employed to reciprocate the carriage toward and from the saw, whereby upon each movement of the log toward the saw a kerf is made longitudinally of the log. The line '1 in Figs. 32 to 35 designates the position of the saw. The dotted line 7' indicates the line on which the kerf is made as the log is moved toward the saw. The line r is a line through the center of the log parallel to the line of the out. When the first cut or kerf is made, which cut corresponds to kerf b at the upper portion, Fig. 31, the log-center s is situated at the right of the liner of the cut, and consequently as the log approaches the saw the kerf will be made atb, as indicated in full lines I) in Fig. 32. After the log is retracted it is shifted bodily toward the left, as indicated by arrow a Fig. 32, and at the same time it is turned on its axis in the direction of the arrow a The distance which the log is shifted laterally and the amount which it is turned depend on the number of kerfs which each series is to have, and where each series is to have three kerfs the log will be shifted laterally such a distance as to bring the log-center approximately in the line 1" of the saw and will be turned on its axis to bring the kerf first made into the position shown by b, Fig. The log is now again reciprocated toward the saw to make a radial cut 0 corresponding to kerf c, Fig. 31, and after it is withdrawn from the saw the log is again shifted laterally to the left in direction of arrow a Fig. 33, and at the same time it is turned again on its axisin the direction of the arrow a to bring kerfs b and c to the position shown in Fig. 34. The log-center is now at the left of the line 1" of the saw and the third kerf at will be made, as shown in Fig. 34. After this kerf is made the log is shifted to the right in direction of arrow a Fig. 34, a distance to bring its center to the initial position, as seen in Fig. 35, and at the same time it is given a reverse turning movement about its axis in the direction of arrow a, Fig. 34, to bring the kerfs already made into the position shown in Fig. 35, the log now being in a position to have kerf g made, whereby a clapboard having its thick edge to the center is out. These operations are repeated until one round of aftereach kerf is made is less than that illustrated above with reference toa log in which each series comprises only three kerfs; but the principle of the operation is the same as that set forth whatever may be the number of kerfs in any one series.

I would add that in all cases when the log is in its initial position, or that shown in Fig. 32, its center is just as far to the right of the line .1 of cut as it is to the left when in the position shown in Fig. 34, which is the position when the last kerf of any one series is made, the result of this being that each of the two diverging kerfs have an equal divergence from a radial line drawn midway between them, as seen in Fig) 31.

Having now referred briefly to the way in which the clapboards are cut, I will describe the mechanism by means of which this operation is performed.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention-I will mount or support the operating mechanism upon a supporting-frame work 3, which is constructed to have a log-carriage mounted at each end thereof, whereby while the log supported on one carriage is being sawed a second log may be carriaged upon the other carriage. The supporting-frame 3 is shown as comprising two longitudinal girders 4, which are suitably tied together by bridge-pieces 5 and which are connected rigidly to and supported by a ring 6, which in turn is rotatably mounted upon a stationary cooperating ring '7, bolted or otherwise secured to the floor or other fixed support. I have illustrated antifriction rolls or balls 8 between the engaging surfaces of the rings 6 and 7, and the ring 6 is provided on its periphery with gear-teeth 9, which engage with a suitable driving-gear 10, (see Fig. 17,) by means of which the ring 6, and consequently the supporting-frame 3, may be rotated. The saw that I preferably employ is a band-saw of any suitable or desired construction, such saw being designated by 11 in Fig. 5, and the log is supported with its length parallel to the saw, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5. Each end of the supporting-frame 3 has mounted thereon a reciprocating carriage adapted to support a log, as above described, and from the above description'it will be seen that by rotating the support 3 either carriage may be brought into operative position with relation to the saw. The carriage which I preferably employ comprises two superposed slides mounted upon rolls 12, carried by a suitable cage 18 and running upon a bearingflange 13 at the upper side of the girders 4. Each slide is illustrated as comprising two side members situated directly over the girders 4 and properly tied together to form a sort of rectangular frame. The two side memtoo IIO

&

bers of the lower slide are designated by 14, and they are tied together at their inner ends by the bridge-pieces 15. These side members 14 of the lower slide rest directly upon the antifriction-rolls 12, and they may conveniently be provided with wearing-plates. I will also preferably provide the upper portion of the flange 13 with a similar wearingplate, and the rolls 12 will be mounted in a suitable cage 18. The upper slide comprises also two side members 17, which are suitably tied together and which are adjustable longitudinally of the lower slide members 14, as will be presently described. The upper slide, comprising the member 17, supports the headblock 26, which carries the centers 19 and 20, between which the log is supported, the said head-block being of the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and having the side wings 27, which extend over and rest upon cross-rolls 28 on the top of the upper slide members 17, said cross-rolls 28 being supported in a suitable cage. The main depending portion of the head-block 26 is received betweenthe side members of the carriage and between the girders 4, for a purpose presently to be de scribed. As stated, the head-block supports the centers 19 and 20, 19 designating the lower center, which may be positively rotated by mechanism presently to be described and which has spurs or win gs 29 to engage the log, whereby the turning of the center will turn the log with it. The upper center 20 is supported in any suitable overhanging arm or arms 21, made fast to the head-block, and is vertically adjustable, said center being illustrated as having a rack 22 thereon, with which engages a pinion 23 upon a shaft 24, to the end of which shaft is secured the handwheel 25. By rotating the shaft 2 L the center 20 may be raised into operative or loweredinto operative position. I will preferably provide a clamping-screw 30, which is adapted to engage the shaft 24. and which operates to lock the center 20 in its adjusted position.

As stated above, my invention comprises a log-carriage supported on each end of the supporting-frame 3, and I have provided an operating mechanism for each carriage, whereby said log-carriages are independent in their action.

Since the mechanisms for operating each log-carriage and for performing the various operations above described are the same, I will refer in the description immediately following to the mechanism for operating one carriage only, it being understood, of course, that the same mechanism will be duplicated and used for operating the other carriages.

To reciprocate each log-carriage and its sup porting head-block, I preferably employ for each carriage a crank mechanism so constructed as to give the carriage a slow move ment toward the saw, but a quick return movement. For this purpose I have illustrated a crank-shaft 31, supported in suitable bearings 45, carried by the bridge-pieces '5,

connecting the girders 4, as above described, upon the upper end of which crank-shaft is a crank-disk 32, having a crank-pin 33 projecting therefrom, which crank-pin is received by and works in a suitable slot 34. in the bridge-piece 15, connecting theside members of thelower slide. has fast thereon an elliptical gear 35, which meshes with a cooperating elliptical gear 36, fast upon a driving-shaft 37, journaled in the bridge-pieces 5, said driving;shaft having at its lower end one clutch member 38, which when the supporting-frame is in the proper position is adapted to be clutched with a cooperating clutch member on the power-shaft, as will be presently described. The form of elliptical gears I have herein illnstrated'comprises two gears mounted eccentrically upon their shafts, from which construction it will be apparent that while the shaft 37 has a uniform rotation the crank-shaft 31 will have a variable speed of rotation, the parts being so arranged that the crank-pin will move the carriage toward the saw with a comparatively slow movement, but will retract the carriage with an accelerated movement. To decrease friction between the crank-pin and the walls of the slpt 34:, I preferably provide the form of roller-bearing illustrated in Fig. 13. In this figure the crank-pin 33 is surrounded by antifriction-rolls 39, supported'in a suitable cage 40, the said rolls and cage being in turn surrounded by a sleeve 41, which plays back and forth in the slot 34. The sleeve 41 and the cage 40 are supported upon suitable ballbearings, which in turn rest upon the wearing-plates 42, fast with the disk 32. Any other form of anti friction-bearing for the crank-pin may be employed, however, if desired.

' I have above described the mechanism employed to reciprocate the carriage, and with it the log supported thereon, toward and from the band-saw, and where clapboards are being sawed the stroke of the carriage must be sufficient to make the required depth of cut The crank-shaft 31 in the log and also to withdraw the log from the saw sufficiently far to allow of a turning movement of the log. In practice I find that a stroke of about nine inches is sufficient for this purpose. v

I will hereremark that in all the views of the drawings the crank-pin is so positioned as to place the carriage at half-stroke.

In making the cuts in the manner shown in Fig. 31 after the log has been moved bodily toward and from the saw to make the cut I) the said log will be turned slightly on its axis and at the same time the center of the log will be given a transverse movement, after which the log will be reciprocated to make the cut 0. After the out c has been made the same operations are repeated-i. a, the log is turned on its axis and at the same time given a slight transverse movement and the cut will then be made. The cuts b, c, and d are all converging toward the center, and to make the cut 9, which diverges from the cut cl, the logis moved bodily in a transverse di rection opposite to that above described, and at the same time is turned backward on its axis to bring the log into proper position to haveits cut orkerfg made, as shown in Fig. 35. It will be observed from Fig. 31 that the number of converging cuts varies with the size of the log, so that where a large log is being sawed mechanism must be employed to turn the log forward on its axis and at the same time give the same a slight transverse or lateral movement after each of the first two' outs have been made and to. turn the log backward on its axis and give it a reverse. transverse,or lateral movement after the third cut, and so on, while for the next size smaller logs the mechanism must give the log the forward turn and the slight transverse movement after each of the first three cuts have been made and the reverse movement after the fourth out. With the still smaller size logs the reverse movement will not take place until after six forward movements have been given to the log, while on the smallest size logs a reverse movement will be given after nine forward movements have been given.

The mechanism for automatically turning the log about its axis as it is withdrawn from the saw will now be described. The center 19, which, as above described, has the spurs 29 thereon, is carried upon the end of a center-shaft 43, which shaft in turn is supported in a suitable groove in the head-block and is held in place by a cap-piece 44. ,The lower end of the shaft 43 has a worm-gear46 thereon which meshes with a worm 47 upon a crossshaft 48, carried by suitable bearings 49 upon the depending portion of the head-block 26, as shown in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines, Fig. 7. It is necessary, of course, that the shaft 48 be'given a slight turning movement at the time that the carriage is in itsretracted position or when the log is withdrawn from the saw, and to give the worm-shaft the necessary forward-and-back ward rotation I have inthis embodiment of my invention illustrated the said shaft 48 as having two oppositely-disposed ratchets 5O 50 fast thereon, with which engage pawls 51 51, carried by rook-arms 52 52, which are loosely mounted upon the shaft 48, said rock-arms carrying at their ends rollers 53, which are adapted to engage set bumpers 54- 5t as the carriage reaches the inner limit of its stroke. The set bumpers 54 54 have cam-surfaces 55 55, with which the corresponding roll 53 engages, and as the carriage reaches the inward limit of its stroke and the rolls 53 engage the said camsurfaces 55 55 the rock-arms 52 52 are turned. Fig. 29 is a side view of the lefthand set bum per and ratchet 50, Fig. 3, and Fig. 30 is a similar view of the right-hand set bumper and ratchet-wheel 50, as will be obvious. On referring to these figures it will be seen that the cam 55 is so shaped and the roll 53 cooperating therewith is so disposed that as saidroll engages the cam roll is so disposed that as the roll engages said cam the roll runs down the cam and the pawls 51 are thereby moved to the left, as shown by the arrow, Fig. 30. Suitable mechanism, hereinafter to be described, is employed to determine which setot' pawls 51 51 shall be placed in operative relation with the ratchet-wheels, it being obvious that if the pawls 51 were in engagement with the ratchet 50 the center shaft 43 would be turned in one direction, while if the pawls 51 were in engagement with the ratchet 5O the said shaft would be turned in the opposite direction. After the carriage begins its forward movement toward the saw and the rolls 53 are carried out of engagement with the set bump ers it is necessary that the rock-arms 52 and 52 should be restored to their initial position. On referring to Fig. 29 it will be seen that the weight of the roll 53 will be sufficient to restore the rock-arm 52 to the position shown in said figure after the roll has left the set bumper, and consequently no special mechanism is needed tor the purpose; but the rock-arm 52 is so disposed that the roll 53 thereon rolls down the cam 55, and to restore said rock-arm to its initial position the latter is provided with a rearwardly-extending arm 633, carrying a weight 634, which is sufficient to overbalance the weight of the roll 53 and which serves to restore the rockarm 52 to its initial position, as will be obvious. During the time that the converging cuts are being made the pawls 51 will be in engagement with the ratchet 50, while the pawls 51 will be held out of engagement with the ratchet 50. When the diverging cut corresponding to g is to be made, however, the pawls 51 are thrown out of engagement and the pawls 51 dropped into engagement, the result of which is that when the carriage is retracted for the purpose of making a diverging cut the log-center is given a reverse or backward turn. In order that there may not be any lost play or backlash between the pawls and the ratchet, I preferably make each of sai lrock-arms 52 52 with two mem bers 52", one situated each side of the ratchet, the said members carrying between them at one end the roll 53, which is monntedon a pin 56, connecting said members, and being connected at the other end by a pin 57, on which is supported a plurality of pawls having different lengths. (See Fig. 27.) The difference between the length of the shortest and the longest pawl is slightly less than the distance between't-he teeth of the ratchet, by virtue of which construct-ion one of the series of pawls will always be in position to immediately engagea ratchet-tooth without any lost play, as will be obvious.

The mechanism for reversing the pawls 51 51 will be presently described, it being un- IIO corresponding to the out 9 is made.

derstood, of course, that the'reverse takes place in order to position'the log for making the out corresponding to the cut g. AsIhave stated above, it is essential to give the log a slight transverse movement between each of the two converging cuts, while between the diverging cuts the log is given a'larger transverse movement. in the opposite direction to restore the log-center to its initial position. I

I have therefore embodied in my present invention mechanism which operates to give to the leg when the latter has been retracted from the saw and simultaneously with the forward turning movement thereof a slight forward transverse movement, this transverse movement being continued so long as the converging cuts are being made which saw the clapboards, having their thin edges toward the center. This forward transverse movement of the log corresponds to that illustrated diagramatically in Figs. 32 to 34. \Vhen, however, the time has come to make a divergent cut, such as the cut (1 in Fig. 31, the mechanism for giving the carriage its forward transverse movement is reversed and the carriage is moved transversely back to its initial position and at the same time the log is turned backwardly about its axis, as illustrated tliagrammatically in Fig. 34. This com.- bined movement results in bringingv the logcenter or axis into such a position that as the carriage is reciprocated toward the saw acut After the cut. corresponding to g has been made and the log is retracted from the saw it is again turned forwardly aboutits axis by the mechanism above described and is given a slight forward transverse movement suflicient to bring the center of the log into position to have the cut corresponding to out 0 made.

My invention as embodied in the structure illustrated allows me to make two converging cuts 0 and d and then one diverging cut g, or to' make three converging cuts and then one diverging cut, or five converging cuts and then one diverging cut, or eight converging cuts and one diverging, according to the size of the log. In other words, my mechanism is adapted to. give the log two successive transverse movements in one direction and then reverse transverse movement to bring the logcenter toits initial position, or threesuccessive transverse movements in one direction and then a reverse transverse movement, or five successive transverse movements and then one reverse movement, or eight successive transverse movements and then one reverse movement. I will now describe the mechanism by means of which these operations may be carried out.

A shaft is supported in suitable hangers 61, made fast to the members 17 of the upper 63 63, respectively, and'each of,said gears meshes with a cooperating gear fast on the shaft 65, carried by the hangers 61, said co operating gears being designated 64 64 6 1 64, respectively. The gear 64 is illustrated as meshing again with a driving-gear 66 upon a shaft 67, which is also su pported in the hangnaled in a suitable bearing secured to a cen- The bevel tral cross member or bridge 73. 72 has fast therewith a spur-gear 74, which meshes with a pinion 75, sp'lined to the shaft 68, so as to rotate therewith, the construction allowing the shaft 68 to have a longitudinal.-

movement through the spur gear and through a suitable aperture in the cross member 73 as the carriage reciprocates. The head-block 26 is provided with a depending arm 76, extending substantially across the machine,as shown in Fig. 6, the lower end of said arm having at its ends bearings which rest upon antifriction -rolls 77, resting on the yoke-shaped hanger 78, which in turn is secured to the hangers 61 in any suitable Way. The supports 78 operate to assist in supporting the head-block 26 and serve to take the strain incidentto the reversing of the transverse movement of said head-block, as will be presently described. The rolls 77 are mounted in a yoke member 79, which embraces the depending portion of the hanger 78, as seen in Fig. 6, which is a section on the line b b, Fig. 6, the yoke member havinga boss 79, through which slidingly passes a guiding'pin 79, fast to the hanger 78, this construction providing for the proper support of the yoke and at the same time allowing it to have the requisite movement in the direction of travel of the roll. The upper end of the arm 76 is hollowed or grooved out, as at 80, and in said grooved-out portion is supported a transversely-extended sore w-threaded shaft 81, one end of said shaft extending through a sleeve 82, which in turn is received by a cored arm or projection 83, Fig. 21, integral with the head-block 26 and projecting through a suitable slot 87 in the side girders 4:. The shaft 81 has fast thereon a collar 88, which engages the inner end of the sleeve 82, and at its outer end a collar 89, which engages the outer end of the sleeve 82, and since the sleeve is held against longitudinal movement in the projection 83 it follows that the shaft 81 is thus restrained against movementlongitudinally. Thescrew-threaded portion of the shaftSl passes through and has screw-threaded engagement with an eye in one end of an arm or latch-pin 90, to the other end of which is fastened a roll 91, adapted to engage the groove 92 in any one of the cams 62, 62, 62*, or 62. Fig. 7 shows the 

